The college delivers over 130 programs in five academic schools: Access, Education and Language; Business and Creative Industries; Health & Human Services; Technology and Environment; and Trades and Transportation.

[3] In 1987, the Department of Vocational & Technical Training published a White Paper recommending the creation of a community college system for Nova Scotia.

[4] The establishment of the system, it was argued, would bring technology, vocational and upgrading institutions together under one umbrella and allow for the development and coordination of college programs and services at a province-wide level.

[5] NSCC became autonomous from the province in 1996[6] by incorporating itself as an independent institution with a Board of Governors (An Act Respecting Collège de l’Acadie and Nova Scotia Community College).

Since then, the NSCC network of campuses has evolved into a province-wide, community-based, community college, with polytechnical, applied arts and health science educational programs.

[7] The Centre of Geographic Studies, often referred to by the acronym COGS, is part of Annapolis Valley Campus and is located in a separate site in Lawrencetown.

[12] The School of Fisheries offers a wide range of training programs to meet the needs of the fish harvesting industry and for small vessel operators.